Arcane Exegesis - Daniel

Daniel in the Lion’s Den - Upright: The Strength (Major Arcana)

• Represents inner resilience, courage, and spiritual fortitude in the face of adversity.
• Emphasizes calm control over both internal and external challenges, relying on faith rather than force.
• Symbolizes harmony and divine protection, even in the midst of danger.

Daniel’s courage shines in the den as he remains peaceful, praying steadily despite the lions. His unwavering faith aligns with the Strength card, showing that true power lies in spiritual resilience. The calm demeanor of the lions, transformed by his presence, is a testament to how divine strength can alter even the most fearsome threats.

Reversed: The Moon (Major Arcana)

• Represents confusion, illusion, and hidden fears coming to the surface.
• In the reversed position, it indicates the breaking of illusions and the uncovering of hidden truths.
• Suggests clarity emerging from darkness and fear transforming into understanding.

While the den initially symbolizes overwhelming darkness and uncertainty, Daniel’s steady prayers shift the situation. The reversed Moon reflects this transformation, as the seemingly deadly threat becomes clear and powerless through God’s intervention. What starts as a realm of fear ends with clarity and calm, illustrating how steadfast faith brings light into the darkest places.

Daniel Refusing the King’s Food
Upright: The Hierophant (Major Arcana)

• Represents commitment to spiritual traditions, laws, and divine authority.
• Symbolizes structured guidance, religious rituals, and faithfulness to higher principles.
• Encourages adherence to spiritual teachings for growth and well-being.

Daniel and his companions refuse the king’s food, choosing instead to maintain their spiritual purity. This act reflects the Hierophant’s message of devotion to divine laws, demonstrating how commitment to spiritual principles yields both physical and spiritual strength. Their health flourishes, underscoring the benefits of obedience to a higher authority.

Reversed: The Devil (Major Arcana)

• Represents breaking free from materialism, temptation, or unhealthy attachments.
• Symbolizes liberation from negative patterns, temptations, or manipulations.
• Encourages a shift toward spiritual clarity and freedom from earthly desires.

In resisting the rich food of the king, Daniel and his friends reject not only physical indulgence but also spiritual compromise. The reversed Devil shows how they break free from the chains of temptation, prioritizing their faith above earthly pleasures. Their decision embodies spiritual liberation, setting the stage for further divine victories.

Daniel, Michael, and Gabriel After Fasting and Praying
Upright: The Hermit (Major Arcana)

• Represents seeking inner wisdom, spiritual insight, and solitude for self-reflection.
• Encourages withdrawing from the world to focus on personal growth and divine guidance.
• Symbolizes enlightenment that comes through deep meditation and personal sacrifice.

Daniel’s 21 days of fasting reflect the Hermit’s journey of seclusion and spiritual pursuit. His sacrifice leads to divine communication: Michael brings strength, and Gabriel provides prophecy. This spiritual quest illustrates the Hermit’s teachings, emphasizing that divine insight is often born from silence and introspection.

Reversed: The Hanged Man (Major Arcana)

• Signifies new perspectives gained through sacrifice, patience, and surrender.
• Represents a shift in focus, often requiring a temporary pause for spiritual clarity.
• Encourages release of control to gain higher understanding and spiritual insight.

Daniel’s fasting and prayer require a surrender of physical comfort in exchange for spiritual revelation. The reversed Hanged Man captures this voluntary pause, leading to divine insights and transformative visions. His commitment to spiritual priorities brings a shift in perspective, opening the way for deeper divine guidance.

The Fiery Furnace
Upright: The Tower (Major Arcana)

• Represents sudden upheaval, dramatic change, and collapse of established structures.
• Symbolizes divine intervention that brings both chaos and clarity, revealing hidden truths.
• Encourages transformation through crisis, leading to new understanding and growth.

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to bow to the king’s idol, they face the fiery furnace—a moment of sudden trial. However, divine presence transforms the chaos into protection, aligning with the Tower’s message of unexpected change that brings deeper truths to light. The flames meant for destruction become a declaration of divine power and deliverance.

Reversed: The Sun (Major Arcana)

• Represents hidden blessings, protection through adversity, and unexpected sources of light.
• Encourages seeing the positive side of seemingly dark situations, revealing hope amid trials.
• Symbolizes triumph and joy that may be initially concealed but ultimately emerges victorious.

The presence of a fourth figure in the furnace—a divine protector—aligns with the reversed Sun’s message of concealed grace. Though the flames are fierce, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego emerge unscathed, demonstrating how divine light shines even in the darkest fires. The story illustrates hidden victory and unanticipated redemption.

Daniel Interpreting the Writing on the Wall
Upright: The Judgment (Major Arcana)

• Represents accountability, divine reckoning, and the revelation of truth.
• Encourages transformation, renewal, and a call to face consequences with honesty.
• Symbolizes both the end of an era and the opportunity for redemption or change.

When Daniel interprets the writing on the wall for King Belshazzar, he delivers a divine message of judgment that heralds the end of the king’s reign. The Judgment card’s themes of truth and reckoning are clear as Daniel acts as the mouthpiece of God, bringing clarity and closure. His courage in delivering harsh truths emphasizes the necessity of spiritual accountability.

Reversed: The Tower (Major Arcana)

• Represents unexpected blessings that emerge from chaos or destruction.
• Suggests that even in the midst of crisis, there is an opportunity for growth or redemption.
• Symbolizes finding stability or protection amid sudden change, often through divine grace.

Though the writing foretells Belshazzar's downfall, it also serves as a final warning—a chance for repentance. Daniel’s interpretation offers the possibility of mercy amid the impending chaos, mirroring the reversed Tower’s message of finding unexpected grace even when structures collapse. It is a reminder that divine intervention often carries a dual purpose: judgment paired with a call for change.